The Talents by Inara Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

front, and the word STAFF was sprawled across the back in matching gold letters.
    â€œHey, everyone, could I get your attention for a minute? Trevor and I have a few things to tell you before we board the bus.”
    The girls began to whisper to each other as soon as they got a look at him.
    â€œYou can have my attention any time you want, Mr. Gorgeous,” Esther said under her breath.
    â€œI’m Cam Sanders. I’m a junior at Delcroix. I’m one of the orientation staff here on campus early to help get you settled. With me is Trevor Anderly.” He motioned toward the other boy, who also wore a STAFF T-shirt. Trevor was a few inches shorter than Cam, with close-cut blond hair and light blue eyes that seemed to take in every person in the crowd at once. When he locked his gaze on me, something about that stare made me shiver.
    â€œTrevor’s also part of the orientation staff and one of the team leaders. He’ll be giving you a tour of the buildings and grounds. The rest of the upperclassmen arrive next week. For now, you have Delcroix all to yourselves.”
    There was scattered clapping, which Cam acknowledged with a smile, even as he raised his hands for quiet. “As you probably know from the packet you received in the mail, the next couple of days will be dedicated to orienting you to Delcroix and getting you settled into the Residence Hall—or the Res, as we like to call it. Today we have some welcome activities planned, and you’ll have time to get unpacked and meet your roommates. Tomorrow you’ll get your class schedules, meet with your advisers, and get to know your teachers. Wednesday you’ll break into your freshman teams. Your classes start on Thursday, but don’t worry, we’ll keep you busy until then.”
    A murmur started in the crowd, and a few people raised their hands.
    Cam shook his head. “I’m sure you have lots of questions, but let’s save them until we’re up at the school.” He turned to the bus and patted the door fondly. “This is the old Silver Bullet,” he said. “She’ll take you to and from school, and today she’ll be running extra trips to get your gear up to the Res as well. If you go home for the weekends, you must be back in the parking lot ready to catch the bus at seven thirty a.m. on Mondays.”
    â€œClasses start at seven forty-five, and if you miss the seven thirty bus, you’ll be late,” Trevor said. He shoved a casual hand into his pocket, but nothing about the tone of his voice matched the pose. “I wouldn’t miss the bus if I were you. They don’t appreciate it when you’re late.”
    â€œYeesh,” Esther said. “Does that guy think he’s the Grim Reaper or something?”
    I hid a smile. I had a feeling Trevor wouldn’t appreciate a freshman making fun of him.
    â€œNow,” Cam continued, “you can leave your trunks over by the grass, and everyone file onto the Silver Bullet. We’ve got a lot to cover today, so let’s get started.”
    The crowd bunched into a rough line and started up the steps. No one said much. I guess we were all a little nervous. Even Perfect Girl, who I saw a few feet ahead, plucked nervously at the waistband of her shorts.
    Cam stood by the door, smiling at all the kids as they went by. Trevor glowered at us from the back of the line. When I walked by Cam, I started to drop my eyes, but he waved and threw an arm around my shoulders like we were old friends.
    â€œDancia, great to see you,” he said, giving me a squeeze. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
    I think I might have nodded, but to be honest, at that moment everything got a little fuzzy. Once he put his arm around me, the entire world went dark and quiet, and all I could see or hear was Cam. He was warm and smelled a little woodsy, like a pine forest in the hot sun. Close up, his eyes drew me in, soft and